Toddler Toilet Training System

ABSTRACT

A toilet system includes a toilet configured for use by a toddler. An enclosure substantially surrounds the toilet, the enclosure having a selectably closable first opening for use by the toddler to access the enclosure. The enclosure includes a second opening configured to permit access from exterior of the enclosure to assist the toddler. The access to assist the toddler can be provided from exterior of the enclosure while the first opening remains in a substantially closed position.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a toilet system, and moreparticularly to a toddler toilet training system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Toilet systems typically include enclosed structures that provideprivacy for individuals needing to use the restroom, and are sized foruse by adults. Toddlers learning toilet training face significantchallenges. For example, toddlers have difficulty using such oversizedfacilities, and may be hesitant to use them. In addition, such toiletenclosures may not be sufficiently sized to accommodate a guardian toprovide assistance to the toddler.

Thus, what is needed is a toilet system configured for toddlers thatprovides privacy, while permitting access from exterior of the toiletsystem so that assistance can be provided to the toddler during toilettraining. What is also needed is a toilet system that is portable andcollapsible for easy storage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a toilet system including a toiletconfigured for use by a toddler. An enclosure substantially surroundsthe toilet, the enclosure having a selectably closable first opening foruse by the toddler to access the enclosure. The enclosure includes asecond opening configured to permit access from exterior of theenclosure to assist the toddler. The access to assist the toddler can beprovided from exterior of the enclosure while the first opening remainsin a substantially closed position.

The present invention further relates to a toilet system including atoilet configured for use by a toddler. An enclosure substantiallysurrounds the toilet, the enclosure including a plurality ofinterconnected panels having a selectably closable first opening for useby the toddler to access the enclosure. The enclosure includes a secondopening configured to permit access from exterior of the enclosure toassist the toddler. The access to assist the toddler can be providedfrom exterior of the enclosure while the first opening remains in asubstantially closed position.

The present invention still further relates to a toilet system includinga toilet configured for use by a toddler. An enclosure substantiallysurrounds the toilet. The enclosure includes a plurality ofinterconnected panels having a selectably closable first opening for useby the toddler to access the enclosure. The enclosure includes a secondopening configured to permit access from exterior of the enclosure toassist the toddler. A third opening is provided for access of the toiletfor cleaning. The access to assist the toddler can be provided fromexterior of the enclosure while the first opening remains in asubstantially closed position.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparentfrom the following more detailed description of the preferredembodiment, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings whichillustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of an embodiment of a toilet trainingsystem of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is an elevation view of an embodiment of a panel of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of an embodiment of a horizontalportion of a toilet training system of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of an embodiment of a correspondingportion for use with the horizontal portion of FIG. 3 of a toilettraining system of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of another embodiment of atoilet training system of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is an embodiment of a roof for the enclosure of the toilettraining system of FIG. 5 of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is an embodiment of a roof for the enclosure of the toilettraining system of FIG. 1 of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of an embodiment of a toilet trainingsystem including an enclosure having decorative features.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged partial elevation view of an embodiment having aslotted opening arrangement for a panel of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged partial view of an embodiment of a collectionreceptacle used with the toilet training system of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 11 is an elevation view of an embodiment of a panel of the presentdisclosure.

Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughoutthe drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings, in FIG. 1, a toilet training system 10includes an enclosure 11 having interconnected panels 12, 14, 16, 18.Panel 12 includes an opening 56 that permits a toddler, i.e., a youngchild, access to enclosure 11. A door 58 is selectably closable by thetoddler for privacy while within enclosure 11. In addition, in anotherembodiment, door 58 may be sized smaller than opening 56 to permit anamount of illumination of the interior of enclosure 11 with door 58 in aclosed position. In one embodiment, enclosure 11 is configured for atoddler. That is, the foot print or amount of area of floor 78 ofenclosure 11 is configured with sufficient size for a toddler to enterand maneuver sufficiently to remove his clothing to use the restroom. Inone embodiment, the height of the enclosure 11 is greater than theheight of the toddler, or at least sufficiently high to substantiallyprevent viewing of the toddler from vantage points exterior of enclosure11 along an eye level of an adult more than a few feet from enclosure11. The toilet, which in one embodiment includes a toilet opening 70formed in horizontal portion 62 of base 60 (see FIGS. 1 and 3), isconfigured for use by a toddler. As used herein, the term configured foruse by a toddler is intended to mean that the item, e.g., toilet base60, is proportionally sized and spaced from floor 78 so that thetoddler's feet can comfortably touch the floor 78, or surface upon whichenclosure 11 is constructed, although in one embodiment, enclosure 11includes a floor panel.

In one embodiment, panels 12, 14, 16, 18 are formed of a waterimpermeable material, such as plastic, although other suitable materialshaving sufficient strength and structural stiffness can be used. In oneembodiment, enclosure 11 is portable. One location for the toilettraining system 10 of the present disclosure is adjacent a swimmingpool, permitting the toddler to exit the pool and then immediatelyaccess enclosure 11, helping to prevent the toddler from using therestroom while in the pool.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, panels 16, 18 are disposed between opposedpanels 12, 14. In one embodiment, panels 16, 18 include latches 20extending outwardly from opposed ends of panels 16, 18. In oneembodiment, latch 20 includes an outwardly extending portion 22 thatextends to a latching portion 24. As shown, latching portion 24 of panel16 is directed through a corresponding slot 54 formed in panel 12. Oncelatch 20 is fully inserted through slot 54, panel 16 is directedvertically downward with respect to panel 12 so that the oppositesurfaces of panel 12 are captured between surfaces 26, 28 of panel 16.Additionally, in such an embodiment, the weight of panel 16 helps toretain interlocking engagement with panel 12. It is appreciated by thoseskilled in the art that panel 16 forms an interlocking engagement withpanel 14 in a similar manner as between panel 16 and panel 12, and thatpanel 18 also forms an interlocking engagement with panels 16, 18 in asimilar manner. In such an embodiment, panels 12, 14, 16, 18 can beinterconnected without fasteners. In other words, in such an embodiment,panels 12, 14, 16, 18 are each of unitary construction, not requiringseparate fastening hardware, such as screws, pins, nuts and bolts thatcan be misplaced. Such a construction reduces the number of parts andsimplifies fabrication, assembly and disassembly, and by virtue of theirlarger size and absence of sharp corner, minimizes the risk of injury tothe toddler. In addition, this construction provides the ability toarrange disassembled panels in a stack for easy storage and/or fortransportation.

As further shown in FIGS. 1-4, base 60 includes a toilet componenthaving a horizontal portion 62 and vertical portion 64. Base 60comprises the toilet portion of the toilet training system. In oneembodiment, horizontal portion 62 has latches 66 at opposed ends thateach extend to a latch portion 68. Latch portion 68 is directed througha corresponding slot 72 formed in panel 12 and in panel 14 (slot notshown), secured in a similar manner as panels 16, 18 as previouslydiscussed. In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, slot 72 includes atleast one pair of opposed tabs 80 extending toward each other, providingseveral different vertical positions to receive latch 66 of horizontalportion 62, to accommodate and be configurable for toddlers of differentheights. In a similar fashion as horizontal portion 62, vertical portion64 has latches 74 at opposed ends that each extend to a latching portion77. Latching portion 77 is directed through a corresponding slot 76formed in panel 12 and in panel 14 (slot not shown), secured in asimilar manner as panels 16, 18 as previously discussed. Verticalportion 64 provides additional structural support of enclosure 11 andalso prevents toddler from inadvertently accessing the portion of thetoilet (not shown in FIGS. 1-4) for collecting bodily waste introducedthrough opening 70 of horizontal portion by the toddler.

As shown in FIG. 10, horizontal portion 62 includes a pair of retainerfeatures 82 disposed adjacent to opposite positions along the perimeterof opening 70 for engaging corresponding retainer features 84 extendingoutwardly from a receptacle for collecting bodily waste from thetoddler. In one embodiment, access to receptacle 86 is provided fromexterior of enclosure 11 via opening 30 formed in panel 16. In oneembodiment, panel 16 is identical to panel 18, also including opening30, which is sufficiently adjacent to floor 78 (see FIG. 1) so as not tointerfere with the toddler's privacy. In one embodiment, a urinal couldadditionally or alternatively be provided (not shown).

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 7, roof 40 is selectably removable fromenclosure 11. In one embodiment, surfaces 32, 34, 36, 38 of respectivepanels 12, 14, 16, 18 are substantially planar when assembled to formenclosure 11. In an installed position, surface 42 of roof 40 isdirected into abutting contact with each of surfaces 32, 34, 36, 38. Aretainer 44 extends outwardly from surface 42, with lateral surfaces 46,48, 50, 52 of retainer 44 being directed in close proximity withcorresponding surfaces of respective panels 12, 14, 16, 18 of enclosure11. Roof 40 provides interconnecting engagement with enclosure 11 thatcan be maintained by virtue of the weight of roof 40. Roof 40 canresemble constructions other than a flat configuration. It isappreciated that retainer 44 can also define a plurality of protrusionsextending outwardly from surface 42 of roof 40 that are disposedsufficiently proximate to the upper edges of corresponding panels tosubstantially prevent relative movement of roof 40 with respect toenclosure 11 when roof 40 is in an installed position. It is to beunderstood that other arrangements are contemplated that can secure roof40 to enclosure 11.

Upon removal of roof 40, or by not installing roof 40, an opening 88(FIG. 1) is provided in the top of enclosure 11 to permit access fromexterior of the enclosure 11 to assist the toddler, wherein the accessto assist the toddler can be provided from exterior of the enclosure 11while door 58 to opening 56 remains in a substantially closed position.In other words, a guardian can access the toddler from exterior ofenclosure 11 through opening 88 to assist the toddler remove clothing orprovide other assistance so the toddler can use the restroom while door58 remains closed, providing privacy for the toddler.

It is to be understood that it is not required for any of panels 12, 14,16 18 to be of the same height, i.e., having coincident upper surfaces,nor that the enclosure has four panels, as any number and geometry ofpartitions can be used. In one embodiment, a frame from which a flexiblematerial hangs is also contemplated, so long as the area inside theenclosure provides privacy to the toddler. Also, it is not necessary fora roof to be in interconnecting engagement with the enclosure.

FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of toilet training system 100 that isotherwise similar to toilet training system 10, except as shown. Forexample, enclosure 110 has a panel 112 including an upper surface 132that is shorter than panels 14, 16, 18 and not coincident with surfaces34, 36, 38 of panels 14, 16, 18.

Referring to FIG. 6, a roof 140 is selectably removable from enclosure110. In one embodiment, surfaces 34, 36, 38 of respective panels 14, 16,18 are disposed in a substantially planar arrangement when the panelsare assembled to form enclosure 110. However, a flange 154 extendssubstantially perpendicular from a base 141 of roof 140, terminating atan end 156. In an installed position, surface 142 of roof 140 isdirected into abutting contact with each of surfaces 34, 36, 38 ofpanels 14, 16, 18. End 156 of flange 154 is also brought into abuttingcontact with surface 132 of panel 112. A retainer 144 extends outwardlyfrom surface 142, with lateral surfaces 146, 148, 150, 152 of retainer144 being directed in close proximity with corresponding surfaces ofrespective panels 112, 14, 16, 18 of enclosure 110. Roof 140 providesinterconnecting engagement with enclosure 110 that can be maintained byvirtue of the weight of roof 40. It is appreciated that retainer 144 canalso define a plurality of protrusions extending outwardly from surface142 of roof 140 that are disposed sufficiently proximate to the upperedges of corresponding panels to substantially prevent relative movementof roof 140 with respect to enclosure 110 when roof 140 is in aninstalled position.

In one embodiment, a portion of flange 154 can be removed, providingaccess to assist the toddler by a guardian exterior of the enclosure110, even when roof 140 is installed on enclosure 110. In anotherembodiment (not shown), openings may be formed in roof to provide accessto assist the toddler by a guardian exterior of the enclosure, even whenthe roof is assembled with the enclosure.

In addition, in the embodiment of roof 140 on enclosure 110, uponremoval of roof 140, by virtue of surface 132 being closer to floor 78than corresponding surfaces 34, 36, 38 of panels 14, 16, 18, the toddlercan be accessed from exterior of enclosure 110 through opening 88 by aguardian that is smaller in stature. It is to be understood that theupper surface of more than one panel can be closer to floor 78 thanothers, and that non-linear portion(s) 120 can be removed from one ormore panels 116, 118 (see FIG. 11) to accommodate the upper torso of aguardian bending over one or more of the panels to provide assistance tothe toddler from exterior of the enclosure. Similarly, the correspondingportion of the roof can have a corresponding profile to interconnectover the enclosure, so that the installed roof forms a contiguousenclosure with the panels.

As shown in FIG. 8, enclosure 210 of toilet training system 200 alongwith interconnectable roof 240 having design features that aredecorative and may be aesthetically pleasing. That is, the shape definedby enclosure 210 can resemble a log cabin (shown in FIG. 8), castle, orany other enclosure that a child would perceive as being fun to play in.

While the invention has been described with reference to a preferredembodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatvarious changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted forelements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. Inaddition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situationor material to the teachings of the invention without departing from theessential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the inventionnot be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best modecontemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the inventionwill include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appendedclaims.

1. A toilet system comprising: a toilet configured for use by a toddler;and an enclosure substantially surrounding the toilet, the enclosurehaving a selectably closable first opening for use by the toddler toaccess the enclosure, the enclosure including a second openingconfigured to permit access from exterior of the enclosure to assist thetoddler, wherein the access to assist the toddler can be provided fromexterior of the enclosure while the first opening remains in asubstantially closed position.
 2. The toilet system of claim 1, whereinthe enclosure is portable.
 3. The toilet system of claim 1, wherein theenclosure comprises a plurality of interconnected panels.
 4. The toiletsystem of claim 3, wherein the panels are interconnected withoutfasteners.
 5. The toilet system of claim 1, wherein the enclosure isaesthetically pleasing.
 6. The toilet system of claim 1, wherein thesecond opening is a removable portion of the enclosure.
 7. The toiletsystem of claim 6, wherein the removable portion is a roof.
 8. Thetoilet system of claim 7, wherein the roof is secured to the enclosurewithout fasteners.
 9. The toilet system of claim 1, wherein the toiletcan be accessed for cleaning from the second opening.
 10. The toiletsystem of claim 1, wherein the toilet can be accessed for cleaning froma third opening formed in the enclosure.
 11. A toilet system comprising:a toilet configured for use by a toddler; and an enclosure substantiallysurrounding the toilet, the enclosure comprising a plurality ofinterconnected panels having a selectably closable first opening for useby the toddler to access the enclosure, the enclosure including a secondopening configured to permit access from exterior of the enclosure toassist the toddler, wherein the access to assist the toddler can beprovided from exterior of the enclosure while the first opening remainsin a substantially closed position.
 12. The toilet system of claim 11,wherein the enclosure is portable.
 13. The toilet system of claim 11,wherein the panels are interconnected without fasteners.
 14. The toiletsystem of claim 11, wherein the enclosure is aesthetically pleasing. 15.The toilet system of claim 11, wherein the second opening is a removableportion of the enclosure.
 16. The toilet system of claim 15, wherein theremovable portion is a roof.
 17. The toilet system of claim 16, whereinthe roof is secured to the enclosure without fasteners.
 18. The toiletsystem of claim 1, wherein the toilet can be accessed for cleaning fromthe second opening.
 19. The toilet system of claim 1, wherein the toiletcan be accessed for cleaning from a third opening formed in at least oneof the panels.
 20. A toilet system comprising: a toilet configured foruse by a toddler; an enclosure substantially surrounding the toilet, theenclosure comprising a plurality of interconnected panels having aselectably closable first opening for use by the toddler to access theenclosure, the enclosure including a second opening configured to permitaccess from exterior of the enclosure to assist the toddler; a thirdopening for access of the toilet for cleaning; and wherein the access toassist the toddler can be provided from exterior of the enclosure whilethe first opening remains in a substantially closed position.